Repent Of Sin Or Perish Forever

In today’s modern world, repentance is not a popular subject to many. We rarely hear the word repent anymore. As a society people search for ways to absolve themselves of responsibility for their bad or wrong actions. But the Savior of mankind Yahshua, through the Bible, goes right to the heart of the matter, clearly saying this: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). Though Yahshua came to take away our sins, we still have our part to do. Messiah didn’t come to save us in our sins or while we continue in sin! Today, we are going to share with you a fundamental and eternal teaching the Bible tells all of us to do as a requirement for salvation, and that is, repent of sin or perish forever. As always, we ask the help and guidance of Yahweh’s Holy Spirit as we discuss with you this vital subject of utmost importance that you really don’t want to miss. May you have the eyes to see and the ears to hear for this true and faithful Kingdom message.

Repentance of sin is one of the very basic doctrines of the true Christian faith—and no one serious about biblical Christianity can afford to neglect it! Repentance is the first prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit. In fact, “repent” was the first command issued on the holy day of Pentecost when the Church or Assembly was “born,” the first word used to answer the all-important question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). The answer made by the apostle Peter was, “repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Repentance means turning away from sin, which is the “transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). Repentance also means turning to righteousness through a life of faith and obedience, the opposite of sin and disobedience. Repentance entails putting away the sinful activities defined by the Commandments, and adopting the wholesome attitudes and behaviors of Yahweh’s law. Repentance begins with a change of mind and results in a change of conduct. The apostle Peter urges his hearers to “Repent…and be converted”—or, turn and be changed! Turn to Yahweh by accepting His terms and provisions, and then follow through with action. True repentance is a gift from Yahweh (Acts 11:18). Yahweh leads us to that point if we respond positively to His working with us to open our minds, and He gives us understanding of His Word (Bible) and ourselves (John 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:25). We repent by turning away from the sins we are guilty of committing, and we unconditionally surrender our will to Yahweh. In other words, we are to turn away from the influence of Satan in our lives and commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Eternal Yahweh!

Now—so we can understand that we must change—let us very carefully examine the biblical explanation of sin so we can better understand what we need to change. Sin is defined in the Bible as the breaking of Yahweh’s commandments and laws. Why should we worry about transgressing Yahweh’s laws? Because our own eternal life is at stake! The apostle Paul warned, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). We readily consider such acts as murder, theft and adultery to be sin. However, Yahshua made it clear that we can sin by our very thoughts, not just our actions. He said that hatred and lust violate Yahweh’s commandments against murder and adultery just as surely as the physical acts themselves (Matthew 5:22, 28; 1 John 3:15). We have all missed the mark. As apostle Paul says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Yahweh” (Romans 3:23). Therefore, he who says, “I know Him and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). And if any person claims that he or she is not a sinner, then that person is a liar, too. Yahweh’s Word tells us that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Notice! The Bible says: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after Yahweh…There is none who does good, no, not one…Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of Yahweh before their eyes” (Psalm 14:2-3; 53:2-3; Isaiah 59:7-8; Psalm 36:1). But Yahweh is not harsh even though He knows we are sinners. He does, however, require that we surrender our will to Him. He wants every one of us to rid ourselves of our former way of thinking and living and become a “new person” in thought, attitude and character (Ephesians 4:22-24). To each of us He says, “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23). Yes, He gives all an opportunity to choose to repent of sin or perish forever for not doing so.

The importance of this essential repentance doctrine is clearly evident not only in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament of the Bible as well. The narratives of repentance are very much documented in the summaries of the preaching of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2), Yahshua the Messiah (Matthew 4:7), and the apostle Paul (Acts 20:21). And this should not be surprising at all since Savior Yahshua, who commissioned His followers to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), said that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). Repentance of sin is truly a part of the very “foundation” (Hebrews 6:1) of the true Christian faith, so is much too important to be glossed over or neglegted to any degree! The apostle Paul informs us that “these times of past ignorance Yahweh has overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Repentance, then, is a subject deserving of careful study and attention! Of course, we must show fruits worthy of repentance as admonished by John the Baptist. The specific fruit John called on people to produce was a change in their behavior, a self-centered, self-serving nature in all of us. Repentance of sin encompasses both believing and doing. When we repent we stop doing what is wrong and start living in harmony with Yahweh’s ways and laws—His will! We stop sinning deliberately and knowingly! Repentance include a genuine sense of sorrow and shame for our sins. But before we can repent, Yahweh must convict us of sin (John 16:8), helping us to realize how far away we are from His holy ways. We must recognize the sin within us and comprehend our deep-rooted hostility toward Him. Again, we say repent!

In closing, after learning the fundamentals of Yahweh’s truth, one must repent. There are no exceptions. Yahweh wants everyone to repent! If you have come to a knowledge of the truth—knowledge of Yahweh’s law; of His way of life, particularly as expressed through His Ten Commandments; of His provisions for salvation through Yahshua the Messiah, who offered Himself for the sins of the world; of the resurrection of the dead; of the Kingdom of Yahweh and reward of the saved—and if you truly believe the good news of Yahshua and His coming Kingdom on this earth, then again apostle Peter’s timeless biblical words in Acts 2:38 is for you. If you are one who previously came to a knowledge of the Gospel truth, responded in real repentance and true baptism, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit, but have since drifted away from Yahweh, perhaps returning to old habits or allowing despondency and doubt to overwhelm you, then Yahweh’s Word has a message for you, as well: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Yahweh desires to receive you into the loving fellowship of His family. Again, Bible plainly tells us to repent of sin or perish forever. The next step is now all up to you. Genuine repentance is the first step to the salvation process set for by our loving Father in heaven Yahweh. Yet while salvation is given to us as a gift, there are conditions attached. The first is that we repent of our sin. Repentance earns us nothing; we deserve no favors because we repent. But repentance is required for salvation! Why? Because repentance is a condition for forgiveness! (Acts 2:38). Why should this be so difficult for many people to believe and understand? It is simply walking in Savior Yahshua’s footsteps, following His teaching (1 John 2:6). Therefore, do not be deceived if someone tells you don’t need to repent of the sin for salvation. You may also want to learn the real Bible truth about the doctrine of faith and grace here. May Yahweh bless you and keep you. May this true and faithful message “cut to your heart” to awaken and to enlighten a genuine Christian faith in you. Our warm greetings of love and peace to all our brethren. All of these things we humbly ask and pray in the name of our coming Savior and King, Yahshua, Amen. Shalom, Halleluyah!